A osprey nest on a cellphone tower in Belmont park in Colwood has been moved to a more permanent structure for the well being of birds and maintenance workers alike.
Telus previously had problems with the osprey in April 2011 and at that time built a platform on the cellphone tower to house their nest, which had been blown off its perch in a windstorm.
Osprey nests are protected by the B.C. Wildlife Act and a permit is needed to move a nest.
Telus spokesperson Shawn Hall said in early 2012 Telus had to do work on the tower and were having trouble working around the nest.
The company contacted the provincial Ministry of Environment for advice and ultimately decided to build the osprey a permanent structure for nesting away from the tower, at Telus’ expense.
“Sort of a win-win,” said Hall. “We get to do the work that we need to do on our infrastructure and the osprey have an undisturbed and safe home.”
To house the nest, Telus erected a pole with a platform a few metres away from the tower and carefully relocated the empty nest.
Ospreys migrate and are currently south for the winter. Hall said the hope is when they come back they will move into their new home, but for now all anybody can do is wait and see.
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